The reason I am doing a double feature write up review is
because I first saw both back to back at a Classic Double Bill in Knoxville
Tennessee when I was 11 years old. My Nanny, Judy, god rest her soul loved
taking me to the films of her time, movies she loved. There was a theater,
sadly no longer around that use to showcase classic films in a Double Bill
setting every Saturday. One of those double bills was The Barefoot Contessa and
The Keys of the Kingdom. Also, that day we saw Bambi followed by The Yearling. These
Double Bills are a pivotal part of my childhood, and the growing love of the
cinema bug that dug deep into my mind, soul and heart to love movies as much as
I do.

Twilight Time chose two important pieces of cinema to bring
out on Special Edition 3,000 Unit productions. To me both films are must own
for any lover of cinema. Twilight Time did an amazing job in bringing both
important pieces out. Both look and sound amazing. Truly fantastic High Definition
transfer’s. They have never look any better. Twilight Time brought beauty to both
Blu-ray’s.

First up is Barefoot Contessa:

Starring one of the greats of cinema who really needs no
introduction or write up to know his mastery. If you’re a movie buff, a cinema
lover then you know of the one and only Humphrey Bogart. Bogart was a
masterpiece worthy performer. He graced so many wonderful pieces of cinematic mastery.
From the classic Casablanca playing the unforgettable character Rick Blaine. The
Maltese Falcon playing another unforgettable character of Samuel Spade. And my
personal favorite The Big Sleep playing the one and only character Philip
Marlowe. Bogart was mastery beyond words. Also, starring the beautiful, one of
a kind, goddess of cinema who also needs no write up or introduction, Ava
Gardener. She is and always will be the true definition of cinematic acting.
Gardner was one of the grand actresses that left us with so many amazing performances,
and she is one those performers that I always return to, and fall in love with
all over again.

This also stars the one and only Edmond O'Brien the iconic
Film actor who graced the cinema world throughout many genres of film. He was a
true classic golden actor playing many parts from drama, action, western to
Film Noir gangster. His two performances
that will stand out the most is this one in Barefoot Contessa which was his
Oscar winning performance, and the other is his Oscar nomination for his work
in 1964's Seven Days in May. Many will remember him in 1969's masterpiece The
Wild Bunch. I'll always personally remember him in the 1950's Film Noir D.O.A.
as Frank and as Jim in 1946's The Killers which introduced us to the master
actor Burt Lancaster. Edmond was a master at anything he did from TV to feature
film from small to large parts, he gave it his all. His performances stand out
above and beyond the art of acting.

I also must mention the amazing actress Valentina Cortese,
who is a stunning, breathtaking masterly performer, and is someone I have
always loved watching. Started acting in 1941 and did so until 1993. She was
just one of those gifted souls who knew how to perform, capture her role, and
execute it in a flawless manner. She was also featured in another Twilight Time
Special Edition release Appassionata (1974).

Written and directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz. A master of
cinema production or writing and of directing. All one should do is look at the
amazing films he directed. The 1946 masterly film, Dragonwyck. Also, the
mastery of 1949’s A Letter to Three Wives. From 1950’s All about Eve, to a huge
favorite of mine 1953’s Julius Caesar. He directed 22 films, 22 films that
stand out and are amazing to see in all their differences. What made him so
unique is he also wrote many of his films. Also, writing for many other films
that he did not direct, such as the screen adaption of the musical classic 1955’s
Guys and Dolls. The Barefoot Contessa is one of those masterly films that he
crafted with his excellence.

Next up The Keys of the Kingdom:

Another flawless gem in my book. Starring one of the amazing
all-time greatest performers in cinema history. The amazing one of a kind
Gregory Peck, a truly phenomenal performer, that needs no introduction. He was
a key figure in cinema history. Peck is one of my all-time favorite performers
that mastered so many cinematic moments. He is one that showcases what acting
is about, or should be about. He has starred in some of my favorite films of
all time. Roman Holiday (1953) The Guns of Navarone (1961) To Kill a
Mockingbird (1962) Duel in the Sun (1946) The Yearling (1946) Moby Dick (1956)
Cape Fear (1962) How the West was Won (1962) and the true favorite of mine the
one and only horror film: The Omen (1976) and last but not least, the one I
have to mention, which is an underrated gem, and one I watch often, a personal
favorite, The Boys of Brazil (1978) . No matter what he acted in he owned his
parts and created thought provoking characters.

Also, starring one of my Top 20 Actors of all time the one
and only Roddy McDowall. He was the pivotal actor of my childhood. I grew up
watching the Planet of the Apes series of films. I personally love him in all
the ones he graced with his excellence in performance. McDowall was more than
just a man in an ape suit. He was a true thespian. He mastered any role he captured
with a quality that is both mind numbing and eye catching brilliance. Started
performing in 1938 and worked unto his death in 1998. I was 9 years old when my
Nanny took me to the Planet of the Apes marathon. Back to back complete film
series on the big screen created a mastery in my mind. It gave a complete
understanding of fandom and geekdom inside my mind. I was forever a fan, and no
matter how many times I see them I love them. McDowell left the cinema world
with so many pieces of film, with amazing characters and the character of young
Francis Chisholm in The Keys of the Kingdom is amazing as always. So, young in
this and yet so brilliant just seeing him. I had honestly forgot he was in
this. One of my favorite roles is when he played the character of Arial in the
1960’s Shakespeare adaption The Tempest. From comedies like That Darn Cat
(1965) The Cat from Outer Space (1978) to playing the character of bookworm on
the 1960’s live action Batman Series. To several of my favorite horror films,
1967’s It! 1973’s The Legend of Hell House, and the one and only personal
horror favorite, and in my Top 50 horror films of all time, 1985’s Fright
Night. Also, starring in two of my childhood favorite Sci-Fi films, Disney’s
The Black Hole (1979) and the Adaption of Ray Bradbury’s masterpiece, The Martian
Chronicles, which was a mini-series in 1980, a true classic. No matter if he
was in costume, or hidden in make-up, or just a side character, he was one of
the greatest actors of all time.

This also stars one of the true masters of Horror, Vincent
Price. Price, really needs no introduction to anyone calling themselves a movie
lover. He also was the very definition of performance in no matter what role he
played. From drama, to horror, he was the guru of cinema. Most fans flock to
and collect his horror films, for they were a true trademark, of Price. Price
was so much more than just a horror actor. Price was also a skilled thespian.
Price was an actor that could hold the audience, and give them a sense of
personal dread, and personal drama in the belief of his character.

Directed by a master of cinema that is sadly overlooked or
forgotten about, or not given the present knowledge of his mastery that he
deserves. Thankfully Twilight Time has honored this film guru with a lovely
example of one of his important pieces of cinema, which is The Keys of the
Kingdom. What makes Stahl stand out is he was a director that created many
styles of film. Starting in the silent era and working all the way up to one
year before his death in 1950. He directed 47 films. He not only directed but
he was a producer and writer.

His first directing film was in 1914, which is
just so amazing to think of film that far back.

The Keys of the Kingdom is about a young priest named Father
Chisholm. He is sent to China to start a Catholic parish. Meanwhile a friend
who is also a priest has more freedom and growth by working in a pro Christian
area, while Chisholm is in a hostile area faced with poverty and disease, and
anger toward the Christian faith. His is one of struggle. His faith is
challenged. Over the years, he finds the struggle is more humbling and as time
moves forward, he grows with the community, becoming one with them. A perfect
drama, with an excellent array of direction, and performances that truly stand
out.

Audio/Video:

Both look and sound amazing. A beautiful transfer to High
Definition. An amazing accomplishment by Twilight Time in high quality products
which they tend to always do. The transfers are always a treat to experience.
Vibrant in imagery, crisp is sound.

Barefoot Contessa Extras: Isolated Score Track: The music
was created and flawlessly executed by music master Mario Nascimbene. He was
one of the greatest soundtrack composers to ever grace Hollywood. One only must
look at his vast career and his ultimate excellence in sound. He, in his
wonderful career gave music to over 150 movies, which is unbelievable in the
reality of this composer and Conductor. He also was honored on two other
Twilight Time release’s Solomon and Sheba and Alexander the Great. The Keys to
the Kingdom is no different than all his other masterpieces of ear listening,
perfection. His music is the style that grabs you and sends you into the movie,
and expresses the emotions, or reality taking place on screen. Simply put, his
music comes to life as a living being.

What makes him so unique in my viewpoint is the many styles
of films he was a part of. From high class, big budget studio wonders, all the
way to lower forms of cinema. He mastered his music with a vast genus of films.
From the wonderment of, 1957’s That Night, to 1958’s The Vikings, 1959’s
Violent Summer, all the way to Hammer Films, One Million Years B.C., to the
1970 adventure fantasy, When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth. These few that I have
mentioned, just showcases you his many adventures in music. He is one of the
best Italian film composers and Orchestrator's of music to ever live. He, like
the master Ennio Morricone, should always be honored and remembered. Twilight
Time did a wonderful job in honoring this movie and his music.

Audio Commentary with Film Historians Julie Kirgo and David
Del Valle. A wonderful listen always a true treat when experiencing a film with
high end Film historians. Kirgo and Valle are amazing and know their stuff. I
really enjoyed listening and being educated on the film.

Stills Gallery from the David Del Valle Archive

Original Theatrical Trailer

The Keys of the Kingdom:

Isolated Score Track: You have a multi-talented musician on
the music in this film, composer of perfection, Alfred Newman. Alfred Newman
was another pioneer of music. A composer and arranger and conductor of many,
upon many pieces of music for film. The vast array of work under his belt can
only show you his expertise at music, from, The Song of Bernadette, All About
Eve, The Diary of Anne Frank, How the West Was Won, The Greatest Story Ever
Told and many, many more credits to his name. What’s so different and amazing
about Newman is, he only wrote music for film. This idea and concept showcases
the beauty he had for film and that beauty always showed in the finished
product. I must mention the success of his music was honored countless times,
winning an impressive 9 Oscars and being nominated over 40 times.

Audio Commentary with Film Historians Kenneth Geist and
Chris Mankiewicz. A wonderful high quality listen. Very informative. I really
enjoyed listening to this commentary, I thought it captured much about the film
and gave the listener a need or want to listen and finish it.

Original Theatrical Trailer

Overall:

Yet again Twilight Time has created two masterly products,
that should be owned and experienced and shared. These being only 3,000 Unit
productions, hurry and get them. Classic film lovers look no further than these
to Blu-ray’s executed flawlessly. Both are truly high quality products. Two
great classic films starring amazing performers. Directed wonderfully. Both are
perfection in audio and video. Two must see, must own beauties of the olden
days of cinema. Twilight Time has taken two classic often forgotten about
films, but now thankfully Twilight Time has brought these two gems to Blu-ray. Both
are Highly Recommended by A Bucket of Corn. Do yourself a favor and buy these
and experience a classic sense of perfected film making.

INFO:

Make sure you head over to www.screenarchives.com to buy all
the wonderful Twilight Time Blu-rays. The main page that gives you these
beautiful releases on top quality Special Editions.